Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX Case Review

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX Introduction:

Purchasing a chassis for your new computer components presents more of a challenge now than it used to. In the not too distant past, computers were stuck in a sea of beige. If you wanted a chassis color other than beige and base metal, you had to take measures into your own hands. Fast forward to the here and now, and you can get just about anything you want by checking the buy option online or plunking your hard earned cash down on the counter at the closest big box retailer. You have the option of a massive full size tower all the way down to chassis that are not much bigger than a Coke can. The color palette is pretty much wide open as well, with the current rage being RGB lighting and fans. Whatever you want, it is out there for you to choose. That choice usually revolves around not only the size of the components being installed, but what fits your individual style.

Along those lines, Phanteks is a company well known for putting together some unique cases that offer up something a little bit different. This chassis, the Enthoo Evolv ITX, is the mini-me version of the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv full-size chassis. It is designed for use with a system built around a Mini-ITX form factor motherboard, but still sports enough internal volume to let you put in the cooling solution of your choice; be it a full on water system, high end air, or an AIO cooler, the chassis is built with options.

As a budget-based chassis, the price point ranges from $69 to $74 depending on which of the three color choices (black, white, red) that you choose for your build. Let's take a quick look at the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX chassis to see how Phanteks shrunk down its popular Enthoo Evolv chassis.

Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX Closer Look:

Available in three possible colors, I will be looking at the white version of the Enthoo Evolv ITX chassis from Phanteks. On the surface, the Enthoo Evolv ITX is gifted with the smooth styling of the full-size Enthoo Evolv, just in a smaller package. Some models are available without a side window, but the potential for this chassis just screams for a window to show off a custom build. The left side panel has a window that takes up the majority of the real estate on the panel. The right side is solid knowing that you will be doing some serious wire management behind the scenes. There are a series of vents along the top of both sides of the case to evacuate warm air. The front view is pretty stylish when you look at it for the first and actually every time you look at it.

One thing to note is this chassis does not support the use of a DVD or Blu-ray drive. The back view shows that there is a ton of space optimized for airflow management. Just about every open space not used is perforated with ventilating holes. Fan sizes up to 140mm are supported with this configuration. The fan mounting holes are slotted to allow for different fan and radiator styles. With this much ventilation the air turnover in the chassis should be impressive, thanks to the 200mm fan pushing 110 CFM installed in the front of the chassis.

The ability to support a 280mm radiator in the top of the Enthoo Evolv ITX is one of the key features of the case, but there are only a series of four vents on each upper side to help maximize airflow out the top of the chassis. A top mounted power button that blends seamlessly into the top panel is easy to access and use. The bottom of the chassis has plastic supports that feature rubber feet to keep the chassis in place and minimize damage to whatever surface the chassis rests on. The additional function of the legs is to provide airflow to the power supply intake fan. Phanteks has installed a plastic mesh filter to capture dust and improve the longevity of the power supply and fan. This filter is easily removable from behind the case for cleaning.

Externally, the Enthoo Evolv ITX has a lot to offer. While not the smallest kid on the block at 230 mm x 375 mm x 395 mm, it's not meant to be, either. However, once you open it up it does offer a huge upside for custom water cooling and storage systems. Let's dig a little bit deeper into just what Phanteks has to offer.